Water-gas generator.



Patented June I9, |900. J. W. CHISHOLM. WATER GAS-GENERATOR.

VVApplication led Oct. 4, 1899.)

2 Sheets-Shae I.

(No Modei.;

, In ve James lorf No. 652,082. Patented lune I97 |900A J. W. GHISHDLM.

WATER GAS GENERATOR.

(Application led Oct. 4, 1899.) (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

Unirse raras iarnn'r tiraron..

JAMES 1V. CIIISHOLM, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

WATER-GAS GNERATQR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 652,082, dated f une 19, 1900.

Replication filed October d, 1899.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES W. CHIsHoLM, a citizen of the United States, residing at San Francisco,in the cbunty of San Francisco and State of`California5have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Manufacturing Gas, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is an improvement upon the apparatus for generating gas shown in' Letters y Patent of the-United States granted to Hall 4onthe 23d day ofMarch, 1893, and numbered 494,200, said patent also having relation to patents of the United States numbered, respectively, 494,198, 494,199, and 494,201. The special points of the said improvement andl the purposes thereof are fully set forth here- `inafter in connect-ion with the accompanying drawings, in Which- Figure I showsa longitudinal section of my improved gas-making plant. Fig. 2 shows a horizontal section of the same; and Fig.'3 shows, partly in section and partly in side elevation, a form in some respects modified. In the reorganization of the apparatus shown in the Hall patent, No. 494,200, I have sought' toV economize heat and to obtain a more perfect and even continuity of operation, and, further, to improve the e'ectiveness generally and durability. To this end I have used a single regenerated', in which an even and controlled heat is maintained, and have connected therewith two generatin g-f u rnaces, symmetrically arranged in their relation to the single regenerator, so that their action is uniform, and one may be made to reinforce or take the place of the other under precisely the same conditions, and thus maintain the same even action which I have found necessary to the best operation of the peculiar form of regenerator of the said Hall patent. These furnaces are shown in Figs'. 1 and 2 at Fand Ff, each having a fuel-chute leading from a hopper H and provided with a valve 2, these serving to'maintain the pressure. An inletpassage for air in this form is provided below the grate by pipes 4c. Steam-pipes S discharge into, above, orbelotn the fuel. In this I have Achanged the organization of the said Hall patent, andthereby dispense with the intermediatemixing-chamber of that patent. By this change I bring the furnace nearer to the rethis.

Serial No. 732,545. (No model.)

generator and introduce therein a materiallyd ierent product, better fitted to be acted on by this special kind of regenerator. As Will he observed in Fig. 2, the furnaces are symmetrically arranged in relation to the regenerator and are connected therewith by pipes l0, having cut-olf valves 11. These pipes, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, pass directly into 'a dust-chamber embedded in the brickwork with the regenerator-chamber. Bothfurnaces bear the same relation to the regeneratingchamber, and therefore act precisely alike upon it, and one, or the other may be used with precisely the same eiect upon it. When `one furnace begins to fail or from any cause needs to be withdrawn from action, the other may be started and turnedon, and when fully in action the one may be shut off 'without any interruption of the even action. By draft and suction, hereinafter explained, the conditions within this one regenerator are controlled, and this regenerator, therefore, with the duplicate furnace and the like construction,may be used continuously without change from one regenerator to another and consequent loss of heat. It will be observed that 'this furnace (shown in Figs. 1 and 2) is an updraf t-f urnace. In order,however,to maintain the pressure therein, I use a mechanical poker, consisting of a weight 9, suspended by a 'chain from a drum inclosed in a box covering a hole in the top of the furnace through which the chain moves. Further, I have Shawna-mechanical stolzer-consisting of achute blending from a hopper H, whereby coal may be upfplied to the furnace without opening thev firechamber. Y

The preferred form of furnace shownv in Fig. 3 is a doWndraft-furnace having an airforcing pipe leading from a blower B to near the top of the furnace. I have shown an agitating mechanism in a Water-tank J, through which theair passes, but make no pointof The 'downdraftffurnace permits the convenient'fnse of thedust-chamber in the ash-- pit and has below the grate a downwardly` inclined'wail18,extending partiallyacross the path of the descending products of combusf tion, so as to cause the particles of dustiuv pinging thereon to be defiected out of the current and thereby eli'minated'therefrom. This dust-chamber may be as large and complete ilO e enanas as necessary forthe removal of the d ust. vlit can be supplemented in its action by utilizing for the same purpose a pai-tof the ii rst regen erator-chainber. I have shown such a supplemental chamber at D, associated in the brickwork with the regenerator-chambcr,and in which a defieeting-wall D' extends in front of the passage l0, controlled by valve il, leading `from the furnace. The downdraftfurnace not only thus affords a d ust-cleaning space in the ash-pit and tends to bring the furnace practically nearer to the regenerator, but the forced downdraft also acts more advantageously in connection with the special kind of regenerator and with the suction which l use at the discharge end of the apparatus. This may consist of an exhaust pump or fan E. .lt acts in conjunction with the forcing mechanism to maintain the pressure in the apparatus at about atmosplwric pressure, preventingr inward leakage oi' air or outward leakage of gas even when the fncldoor is opened. It also in like conjunction serves to control the distribution of heat throughout the regeneratingechamber and to make thc movement of the products of combustion even and uniform throughout the apparatus. his I have found to operato with best effect in the pcculiarrkihd oi' rcg'eucrator of'the Hall patents aforesaid. It specially adapted to the construction and arrangement of the series of aggregated regencrator-chambers shown herein and forming an important feature in my invention. ln the reorganization also I have abandoned thc rectangular form of refrcncrator of llall and adopted a cylindrical form as having peculiar effect on the Hall electric regenerating devices. These devices being,r excited to action by heat are iu a cylindrical form heated uniformly, and therefore operate uniformly as they do not in the rectangular shape. I`urther, the gases moving evenly therethrough the deposit of carbon occurring in the rectangular form and interfering with the electric action is avoided. Further, for thc best effect l have found that prolonged action of the electric regeneraiineT devices was required, as well as unifo 'mity oli' movementof the gases through all parts of the cross-sectionof thechamber. lthereiorehave used several subordinate cylindrical chambers, each of such area of cross-section as to maintain a uniform movement of gases amongv the electric devices, and have aggregated these in such numbers as to secure continuous exposure l'or a sufiieientlimc of the gases to the electric action. Thus l have sought at the saure time even and prolonged action of these electric devices on the passing `eases. A further problem presented itself-how to aggregatethcsosnbordinatccylindricalchambers so as to best resist strain, retain heat, and provide toi-access to each rhainbcr. 'lhis is explained more full)Y hereinafter. 'lho subordinate chambers or passages are indi` cat'cdat lt El, rte., in Fig. 2, and in those are arranged the electric devices, such those shown in the Hall patents, `Nos. width) and @200 aforesaid, the arrangement also being such that passages are provided for the movement of the products of combustionthrough the chambers. if the lorm of furnace shown in Fig. l be used, one of the cy iindrical chambers (marked l) nearest the furnace and next aise the first regeneratorchamber is used as el dust-chamber, being provided with an opening l0 from 'the .furnace and defieeting-wall B', against which the products of combustion impinge, and bcinf,r deflected, pass under the lower edge and up to the opening l5 leading,P` to the contiguous regeneratonchamber. l"his dust-chamber (shown in Figs. l. and i) whollyoecupies the cylinder at l); but in the form shown in Fig. 3 it only partly occupies that cylinder' where it only supplements the dustcliamber in the furnace. lt will be observed first that these chambers are of comparatively-smaii arca in cross-section; but by these connecv tions (shown at l5) aiternately at top and. bottom the products of combustion move through an extended passage ol' comparativclysmall area in cross-section at any point and throughout provided with the electric devices, which thus .act upon the `:fases throughout the entire length of the aggregated chambers, and

by reason of the even movement, duc to the lt vri-ll bemanhole) from the outside, while one is ranged at each end. This arrangement at fords mutual support, serving to retain the heat and to inclose the whole. l form the Wall with its inclosing' shell in curved shape to equalizehchcat resistance and the strains and prevent unequal action and bulgine'.

The form shown is incross-seetion approximately oval and the chambers are in two lines, with one at cach ond. In the chambers have shown the crucibles, which contain,

spectively, the iron and copper or other ma terial of opposite polar-ities. The

from the last regcnerator-chambers leads de rectlgi'to a waier-heaierl{, thi-ou., iivhich tl gases are made 'io pass merely to save ii" 'lhence said gases pas y to serifM L, ol which two are snown in cooler or condenser C, outside of suction fan or pump. The exhaust-pump is vconnected to the gas-passage in the condenser tl at if), and thus is in position to draw the gases as they pass through the apparatus. it iviiibe understood that the force nl' suction is regulated and made to corre,

spoed lo that ol" the forcing-blast of the furnace. As the said blast arts with greatest rizo force at the beginning and diminishing to the cnil, so the suction acts reversely at the end of the apparatus with greatest force, diminishing toward the furnace, so that these two .blasts are the complement of each other in the apparatus, and by varying one in relation to the other any required pressure may be maintained in the apparatus and the movement of the gases is made more uniform.

The downdraft-generator is specially adapted to the peculiar kind of regenerator of the I-Iall patent. For its successful action the quality of the gases and their component parts should be constantly regulated. This can be done in a downdraft-furnace without interfering with the draft. The condition of the fire may be watched, the formation of crusts broken and cavities destroyed, )reventing excess of air or other inequalities in the products of combustion which would impair the operation of the electric regenerators.

1. In a gas-generating apparatus, a regenerator consisting of several closely-connected chambers, each having receptacles containing materials of opposite polarities, a dust'- chamber in direct and close communication therewith, and a furnace in direct and close communication with the dust-chamber, substantially as described.

2. In a gas-generating apparatus, a regenerator consisting of several closely-connected chambers each having receptacles containing materials of oppositefpolarties, a dust-chamber connected closely and directly' to the generator, and a pair of furnaces each closely and directly connected to the dust-chamber,

substantially as described.

3. In a gas-generating apparatus, a regenerator consisting of several closely-connected chambers each having receptacles containing materials ofopposite polarity,a dust-chamber or dust-chambers in close and direct communication therewith and a pairof furnaces in close and direct communication with the dust chamber or chambers, substantially as described.

4. In a gas-generating apparatus, a regenerator consisting of several closely-connected chambers each having receptacles therein containing materials of opposite polarities, with passages for the products of combustion among said receptacles, a dust-chamber in close and direct communication with said regenerator, and a pair of furnaces in close and direct communication with said dust-chamber, substantially as described.

5. In a gas-generating apparatus, a regenerator consisting of several closely-connected chambers each having electrical means within itself actuated by the heat ofthe products of combustion passing through it, a dust-chainber closely and directly in communication therewith, and a furnace connected closely aud directly te the dust-chamber, substan- `tially as described.

6. In a gas-producing apparatus, a downdraft furnace, a dustchamber connected closely and directly thereto, and a regenerator consisting of several chambers each having receptacles containing within it materials of opposite polarities closely and directly connected to the dust-chamber, substantially as described.

7. In a gas-generating apparatus, a regenerator comprising a plurality of cylindrical chambers symmetrically arranged in parallel rows with a single chamber at each end of said rows, and surrounding structure of substan tially-elliptical form, embedding and surrounding said plurality of chambers, substantially as described.

S. In a gasgenerating apparatus, a regenerator consisting of several closely-connected chambers cach containing receptacles lled with materials of opposite polarities, a downdraft-generator, a pressure-blower connected with said downdraft-generator and arranged to force the products of combustion through the regenerator, and a suction-blower arranged on the opposite end ot the apparatus and acting to draw the products of combustion in the generator, substantially as described, thereby eqnalizing the pressure throughout the apparatus.

9. A regenerator consisting of several closely-connected chambers each having receptacles containing materials of oppositepolarities in combination with the downdraftfurnace, of a gas-producing apparatus, and a downwardly inclined deflecting -wall larranged below the grate, and, in the path of the products of combustion and with an ashpit below the wall, substantially as described.

l0. In a gas-generatingl apparatus and in combination a regenerator consisting of several closely-connected chambers each provided with electric means within itself excited to action by the heat of the products of combustion, and a generator consisting of a furnace for earbonaceons material and closely connected therewith, and means for supplying air and steam to saidV furnace, substantially as described.

ll. A regenerating-chamber consisting of a series of subordinate cylindrical chambers arranged side by side and connected to form a continuous passage for the gases therethronglnsaid subordinate chambers being provided with receptacles containing materials of opposite electric polarities said chambers embedded in a common brickwork, the contour of which. is curved to conform to that oi' the inclosed serics,substantially as described.

' In testimony whereof I have allixcd my signature, in presence of two witnesses, this Sth day of September, 1895).

.TAM ES lV. (ll llbllOl'iM.

l/Vitnesscs: l y,

SIDNEY C. EAs'rMAN, JAMES W. lmvls.

IOO

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